MBA Admission 2027: CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT Dates & Application Process
DeekshaUpdated on 18 Oct 2026, 10:57 PM IST
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MBA admission 2027 runs on five major national entrance exams, CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT and CMAT, each with its own registration window, exam date and accepting colleges. Unlike medical or engineering admissions, there is no centralised MBA counselling in India, so you apply separately to every college that accepts your score.
This guide lays out the confirmed and expected dates for every major MBA entrance exam feeding the 2027-29 batch, along with fees, eligibility and the full application process.
MBA Entrance Exams 2026-27 at a Glance
Table
| Exam | Conducting body | Registration window | Exam date(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | IIM Indore | August 3 - September 15, 2026 | November 29, 2026 |
| XAT 2027 | XLRI Jamshedpur | July 15 - December 6, 2026 | January 3, 2027 |
| SNAP 2026 | Symbiosis International (Deemed University) | August 21 - November 25, 2026 | December 13, 19 and 26, 2026 |
| NMAT 2026 | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) | August 20 - October 10, 2026 | November 2 - December 20, 2026 (test window) |
| CMAT 2027 | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Expected October - November 2026 (not yet officially notified) | Expected January 24, 2027 (tentative) |
4 columns · 6 rows
CAT and XAT registrations are already closed for this cycle as of early October 2026, SNAP and NMAT registration windows are open or closing soon, and CMAT's official notification is still awaited from NTA. Treat all CMAT dates here as planning estimates until NTA's formal notification confirms them.
CAT 2026: Full Timeline for MBA Admission 2027
Table
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Conducting institute | IIM Indore |
| Registration opened | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Registration closed | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Exam date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday, three sessions) |
| Result (expected) | First week of January 2027 |
| Accepting institutes | All 21 IIMs and over 1,200 other B-schools including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurugram |
2 columns · 7 rows
CAT registration for this cycle has closed. If you missed it, CAT runs once a year, so the next window opens around August 2027 for MBA admission 2028; in the meantime, focus on XAT, SNAP, NMAT or CMAT, whose windows are still open or upcoming.
XAT 2027: Full Timeline
Table
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Notification released | July 8, 2026 |
| Registration opened | July 15, 2026 |
| Registration closes | December 6, 2026 |
| Exam date | January 3, 2027 (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM) |
| Admit card (expected) | December 20, 2026 |
| Registration fee | ₹2,300 (approx.) |
| Accepting institutes | XLRI and around 800 other MBA/PGDM colleges nationwide |
2 columns · 9 rows
XAT is mandatory for XLRI's MBA Business Management and MBA Human Resource Management programmes, and its registration window remains open until December 6, 2026, giving candidates time to register even after CAT closes.
SNAP 2026: Full Timeline
Table
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune |
| Registration opened | August 21, 2026 |
| Registration closes | November 25, 2026 |
| Test dates | December 13, 19 and 26, 2026 |
| Result (expected) | January 12, 2027 |
| Registration fee | ₹2,550 (approx., plus separate programme fee per college selected) |
| Accepting institutes | Symbiosis International University's affiliated institutes |
2 columns · 8 rows
SNAP allows candidates to choose one, two or all three test dates, and the best of the attempted scores is considered for admission. Each additional attempt carries its own fee, and a separate programme fee applies for every Symbiosis institute you apply to.
NMAT 2026: Full Timeline
Table
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) |
| Registration opened | August 20, 2026 |
| Registration closes | October 10, 2026 |
| Test window | November 2 - December 20, 2026 |
| Registration fee | ₹3,000 plus applicable GST (approx.) |
| Maximum attempts | Up to 3 attempts within the test window |
| Accepting institutes | NMIMS, SPJIMR, XIM University, ISBR, Alliance University and other GMAC-affiliated institutes |
2 columns · 8 rows
NMAT offers one of the most flexible testing formats among MBA entrance exams in India: candidates can schedule their own test slot within the testing window and retake it up to three times, with the best of the attempted scores typically used for shortlisting by accepting colleges.
CMAT 2027: Full Timeline (Expected)
Table
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Registration (expected) | October - November 2026 |
| Exam date (expected, tentative) | January 24, 2027 |
| Registration fee (expected) | ₹2,500 for General; lower for Female/Reserved/Transgender categories |
| Accepting institutes | AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges, around 1,300 institutes nationwide |
2 columns · 6 rows
As of this writing, NTA has not released the official CMAT 2027 notification. The dates and fee above are planning estimates based on recent years' patterns; confirm the actual schedule on the official CMAT website once NTA releases it.
MBA Entrance Exam Fees Compared
Table
| Exam | Approx. registration fee |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | Check official notification for current fee (category-wise concession applies) |
| XAT 2027 | ₹2,300 |
| SNAP 2026 | ₹2,550 per attempt, plus ₹1,000 per programme applied to |
| NMAT 2026 | ₹3,000 + GST |
| CMAT 2027 (expected) | ₹2,500 (General); lower for Female/Reserved/Transgender |
2 columns · 6 rows
Eligibility Criteria for MBA Admission 2027
- A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, generally with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates), though exact thresholds vary by exam and college.
- Final-year undergraduate students can apply to most of these exams, provided they complete their degree and submit proof by the date specified by the accepting institute.
- There is generally no upper age limit for CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT or CMAT.
- Some institutes also consider relevant work experience as part of their composite selection criteria, though it is not mandatory for most programmes.
- Each exam-accepting institute sets its own specific eligibility and shortlisting criteria, so always check the individual college's admission policy in addition to the exam's general eligibility rules.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Decide which exam(s) to take based on your target colleges, since different institutes accept different exams.
- Register on the exam's official website within the registration window and pay the applicable fee.
- Select your preferred test city, test date (where applicable, as with SNAP or NMAT) and programme preferences during registration.
- Download your admit card once released and appear for the exam on the scheduled date.
- Check your score or percentile once the result is declared, and compare it against your target colleges' typical cut-offs.
- Apply separately to each shortlisting college, since there is no centralised MBA counselling across these exams.
- Appear for each college's Written Ability Test, Group Discussion and/or Personal Interview rounds as scheduled.
- Accept your final offer, pay the admission fee within the deadline, and complete document verification.
Choosing Which Exam(s) to Take
- CAT: the widest reach, required for all 21 IIMs and accepted by over 1,200 other B-schools; the default choice for most serious MBA aspirants.
- XAT: mandatory specifically for XLRI, and also accepted by around 800 other colleges; worth taking if XLRI or the XAMI group is on your list.
- SNAP: required for admission to any Symbiosis institute; the three-attempt, best-score format reduces pressure from a single test day.
- NMAT: required for NMIMS and SPJIMR among others; its flexible scheduling and three attempts suit candidates who want a lower-stakes testing experience.
- CMAT: the widest net among AICTE-approved colleges, useful as a backup or primary option if you are targeting a broad set of private MBA/PGDM institutes.
Many serious aspirants take two or three of these exams in the same season to maximise their options, since registration windows overlap and each exam tests broadly similar skills.
After the Exam: Selection Process and Result Timeline
Table
| Exam | Result (expected) | Typical next step |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | First week of January 2027 | IIM shortlisting, WAT-PI rounds January - March 2027 |
| XAT 2027 | Late January 2027 (typical pattern) | XLRI and accepting colleges' GD-PI rounds |
| SNAP 2026 | January 12, 2027 | Symbiosis institutes' WAT-GE-PI rounds |
| NMAT 2026 | Declared on a rolling basis after each test attempt | NMIMS and accepting colleges' interview rounds |
| CMAT 2027 | Expected within a few weeks of the exam | Accepting colleges' individual selection rounds |
3 columns · 6 rows
Final admission offers across this cycle are generally expected between April and June 2027, though this varies by institute. Each college runs its own composite selection process, typically combining entrance score, academic record, and performance in the written test, group exercise and interview.
Your target colleges should decide which exams you take, not the other way around. Map out your shortlist first, then work backward to the exams that actually matter for those colleges.
Related Resources
- Top Management Colleges in India
- Top IIMs in India
- MBA College Directory
- CAT Exam Overview
- CMAT Exam Overview
- SNAP Exam Overview
- XAT Exam Overview
Useful Official Resources
Rely on these official exam portals for the latest confirmed dates, registration links and notifications rather than third-party estimates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main MBA entrance exams for admission 2027 in India?
The five major national MBA entrance exams for the 2027-29 admission cycle are CAT 2026, XAT 2027, SNAP 2026, NMAT 2026 and CMAT 2027, each accepted by a different set of colleges.
Has CAT 2026 registration closed?
Yes. CAT 2026 registration closed on September 15, 2026. The exam itself is scheduled for November 29, 2026, with results expected in the first week of January 2027.
When is XAT 2027 and what is the last date to register?
XAT 2027 is scheduled for January 3, 2027, conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur. Registration opened on July 15, 2026, and the last date to apply is December 6, 2026.
Can I attempt SNAP or NMAT more than once?
Yes. SNAP 2026 offers three test dates (December 13, 19 and 26, 2026) and NMAT 2026 allows up to three attempts within its testing window (November 2 to December 20, 2026). In both cases, the best score among your attempts is typically used by accepting colleges.
Has CMAT 2027 been officially announced?
No, not as of this writing. NTA has not released the official CMAT 2027 notification. Based on recent years' patterns, registration is expected to open around October-November 2026 with the exam around January 24, 2027, but these remain unconfirmed estimates.
Is there a centralised counselling process for MBA admission in India?
No. Unlike medical or engineering admissions, there is no centralised MBA counselling across CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT or CMAT. Candidates must apply individually to each shortlisting college and go through that college's own selection process.
Which exam should I take if I only want to prepare for one?
CAT offers the widest reach, accepted by all 21 IIMs and over 1,200 other B-schools, making it the default choice for most aspirants. However, if a specific college like XLRI, a Symbiosis institute, or NMIMS is your priority, you should take that college's required exam (XAT, SNAP or NMAT respectively) instead or in addition.
What is the typical eligibility requirement for these MBA entrance exams?
Most require a bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates) from a recognised university. Final-year students can generally apply too, and there is usually no upper age limit.